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  • Title: Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • Editor: Adrian Kiernander

    • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Adrian Kiernander
    Peer Reviewed

    Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

    Enter Sir Francis Tirrell.
    2705Tyr. The tyrranous and bloudie deed is done,
    The most arch-act of pitteous massacre,
    That euer yet this land was guiltie of,
    Dighton and Forrest whom I did suborne,
    To do this ruthles peece of butcherie,
    2710Although they were flesht villains, bloudie dogs,
    Melting with tendernes and kind compassion,
    Wept like two children in their deaths sad stories:
    Lo thus quoth Dighton laie those tender babes,
    Thus thus quoth Forrest girdling on another,
    2715Within their innocent alablaster armes,
    Their lips were foure red Roses on a stalke,
    Which in their summer beautie kist each other,
    A booke of praiers on their pillow laie,
    Which once quoth Forrest almost changd my mind,
    2720But oh the Diuell their the villaine stopt,
    Whilst Dighton thus told on we smothered
    I.2 The
    The Tragedy
    The most replenished sweet worke of nature,
    That from the prime creation euer he framed,
    Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse,
    2725They could not speake and so I left them both,
    To bring this tidings to the bloudie king. Enter Ki. Richard.
    And here he comes, all haile my soueraigne leige.
    King. Kind Tirrell am I happie in thy newes.
    2730Tyr. If to haue done the thing you giue in charge,
    Beget your happinesse, be happie then
    For it is done my Lord.
    King. But didst thou see them dead?
    Tir. I did my Lord.
    2735King. And buried gentle Tirrell?
    Tir. The Chaplaine of the tower hath buried them,
    But how or in what place I do not know.
    Tir. Come to me Tirre! soone at after supper,
    And thou shalt tell the processe of their death,
    2740Meane time but thinke how I may do thee good.
    And be inheritor of thy desire, Exit Tirrel.
    Farewel til soone.
    The sonne of Clarence haue I pent vp close,
    2745His daughter meanelie haue I matcht in mariage,
    The sonnes of Edward sleepe in Abrahams bosome,
    And Anne my wife hath bid the world godnight,
    Now for I know the Brittaine Richmond aimes
    At young Elizabeth, my brothers daughter,
    2750And by that knot lookes proudly ore the crowne,
    To her I go a iollie thriuing wooer, Enter Catesby.
    Cat. My Lord.
    King. Good newes or bad that thou comst in so bluntly?
    Cates. Bad newes my lord, Ely is fled to Richmond,
    And Buckingham backt with the hardie Welchmen,
    Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.
    King. Ely with Richmond troubles me more neare
    2760Then Buckingham and his rash leuied armie:
    Come I haue heard that feareful commenting,
    Is leaden seruitor to dull delaie,
    Delaie leades impotent and snaile-pact beggerie,
    Then fierie expedition be my wing,
    Ioues
    of Richard the third.
    2765Ioues Mercurie and Herald for a king :
    Come muster men, my counsaile is my shield,
    We must be briefe when traitors braue the field. Exeunt.
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